Origen Against Celsus Book VIII Moreover, we are taught that "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."[9] Cyprian Epistle XXVI For far be it from the mercy of God and His uncontrolled might to suffer the number of the lapsed to be called the Church; since it is written, "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."[5] Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book VIII re, whether immortal or mortal, is derived; who didst make man a rational creature, the citizen of this world, in his constitution mortal, and didst add the promise of a resurrection; who didst not suffer Enoch and Elijah to taste of death: "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, who art the God of them, not as of dead, but as of living persons: for the souls of all men live with Thee, and the spirits of the righteous are in Thy hand, which no torment can touch; "[185] Clementine Homily III And to those who say that Abraham and Isaac and Jacob are dead, He said, `God is not of the dead, but of the living.'[55]